Switch-Coupled Oscillator Control for Phase Noise and Power Trade-Off
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electronic oscillators face challenges in balancing phase noise and power consumption, as coupling multiple oscillators can reduce phase noise but increase power consumption, making it difficult to meet stringent noise and power specifications in various applications.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a switch-coupled oscillator system that includes a primary oscillator and auxiliary oscillators, controlled by an oscillator control circuit to selectively couple or decouple auxiliary oscillators, allowing for a digitally configurable trade-off between noise performance and power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple oscillators are coupled together, then phase noise is reduced, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic control of oscillator coupling through switching circuits that can selectively connect or disconnect auxiliary oscillators based on operational requirements. The oscillator control circuit dynamically adjusts the coupling state between primary and auxiliary oscillators, allowing the system to transition between different power consumption and noise performance states as needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the oscillator system by controlling the number of active oscillators. The oscillator control circuit can adjust the coupling strength and number of engaged auxiliary oscillators, thereby changing the system's effective parameters (noise performance and power consumption) to match different application requirements.
2Use of energy by moving object
If auxiliary oscillators are decoupled to save power, then power consumption is reduced, but phase noise performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the coupling state between primary and auxiliary oscillators based on real-time operational requirements. When power savings are prioritized, auxiliary oscillators are decoupled; when noise performance is critical, they are recoupled. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to optimize between the two competing objectives.
Solution Approach 2:
The oscillator system is designed to perform multiple functions by selectively engaging auxiliary oscillators. The same hardware configuration can operate in different modes: high-power low-noise mode with all oscillators coupled, and low-power high-noise mode with fewer oscillators active, making the system universally applicable to different operational scenarios.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple oscillator variations are manufactured to meet different specifications, then application versatility is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal oscillator platform that can serve multiple applications through software-controlled configuration rather than hardware variations. The oscillator control circuit allows the same physical device to be configured for different phase noise and power consumption specifications, eliminating the need to manufacture multiple specialized oscillator versions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses dynamic reconfiguration capabilities to adapt to different application requirements. Rather than manufacturing static oscillator variations, the system can dynamically adjust its behavior through the switching circuits and control logic, providing application versatility through runtime configuration instead of manufacturing diversity.
Data Source
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AI summary
Apparatus and methods for switch-coupled oscillators are disclosed. In certain implementations, an oscillator system includes a primary oscillator, one or more auxiliary oscillators, one or more switching circuits, and an oscillator control circuit. The oscillator control circuit can be used to control the one or more switching circuits to selectively couple the primary oscillator to all or a portion of the one or more auxiliary oscillators. The oscillator control circuit can also disable any auxiliary oscillators that are decoupled from the primary oscillator to reduce power consumption. By selecting a number of auxiliary oscillators to couple to the primary oscillator, the oscillator system can have a configurable phase noise versus power consumption profile.